# Central Zoo

The Central Zoo (Nepali: सदर चिडियाखाना) is a 6-hectare (15-acre) zoo in Jawalakhel, Nepal. It is home to some 969 animals in 109 species, and is operated by the National Trust for Nature Conservation (NTNC). Although it was originally a private zoo, it was opened to the public in 1956.
During the Bhoto Jatra festival, celebrated near the zoo, the zoo may see upwards of 34,000 visitors in a single day after they come to see a historical jeweled vest at the culmination of the Rato Machchhindranath Jatra.

## History

The Central Zoo was established in 1932 by Rana Prime Minister Juddha Shumser as a private zoo; it came under government control in 1950. It was built under the engineering and project management of General Maheshwar Shamshere Rana (PM Juddha Shamshere's grandson) and his handpicked skilled and unskilled workforce. It was opened to the public in 1956, and in December 1995, the government handed over responsibility of the zoo to the National Trust for Nature Conservation. Although work is not complete, the NTNC has been upgrading the facilities so that animals can live in larger enclosures that simulate their natural environment. It is also working towards turning the zoo into a research and educational facility, as well as remaining a tourist attraction.
The central pond at the zoo is older than the zoo itself. It was built in the seventeenth century during the rule of King Siddhi Narsingh Malla, and at one time was the source of water for Patan.

## Animals

The zoo is home to about 870 animals in 109 species, including 15 of 38 endangered local species including Royal Bengal tigers and one-horned rhinoceros, as well as many animals from around the world including hippos, siamang, ostriches, chimpanzee, lemur, and many birds. It also has an aquarium for subtropical fish.

### Mammals

Mammals at the zoo include:

### Endangered species

* Asian elephant
* Indian rhinoceros
* Wild water buffalo
* Bengal tiger
* Snow leopard
* Clouded leopard
* Striped hyena
* Red panda
* Blackbuck
* Swamp deer

### Carnivora species

* Himalayan black bear
* Common palm civet
* Golden jackal
* Himalayan palm civet
* Indian leopard
* Indian mongoose
* Jungle cat
* Large Indian civet
* Leopard cat
* Sloth bear
* Small Indian civet

### Artiodactyl species

* Himalayan blue sheep
* Four-horned antelope
* Himalayan goral
* Hippopotamus
* Indian muntjac
* Indian hog deer
* Nilgai (blue bull)
* Sambar deer
* Small Indian civet
* Spotted deer
* Wild boar

### Primate species

* Chimpanzee
* Mona monkey
* Common langur
* Patas monkey
* Rhesus macaque
* Siamang
* Vervet monkey

### Rodent species

* Albino crested porcupine
* Crested porcupine
* Indian palm squirrel
* Northern palm squirrel

### Reptiles

Reptiles at the zoo include:
* Aldabra tortoise, Aldabrachelys gigantea
* Chinese alligator, Alligator sinensis
* Gharial, Gavialis gangeticus
* Indian pond turtle, Melanochelys trijuga
* Indian roofed turtle, Pangshura tecta
* Bengal monitor, Varanus bengalensis
* Mugger crocodile, Crocodylus palustris
* Asian rock python, Python molurus
* Tricarinate hill turtle, Melanochuelys tricarinata
* Yellow-headed temple turtle, Heosemys annandalii

### Birds

Birds at the zoo include:
* Albino peacock
* Alexandrine parakeet
* Bar-headed goose
* Black kite
* Black-headed ibis
* Black-necked stork
* Blue rock pigeon
* Blue-and-yellow macaw
* Chestnut munia
* Chukar partridge
* Cockatiel
* Comb duck
* Common crane
* Common emerald dove
* Common kestrel
* Common ostrich
* Common quail
* Demoiselle crane
* Dusky eagle-owl
* Eastern barn owl
* Emu
* Eurasian eagle-owl
* Fantail pigeon
* Golden pheasant
* Great horned owl
* Great white pelican
* Grey heron
* Grey parrot
* Greylag goose
* Guinea fowl
* Himalayan monal
* Himalayan griffon vulture
* Indian silverbill
* Java sparrow
* Kalij pheasant
* Lady Amherst pheasant
* Lesser adjutant
* Lesser whistling duck
* Love bird
* Myna
* Oriental pied hornbill
* Peacock
* Rainbow lorikeet
* Red munia
* Red-breasted parakeet
* Reeve's pheasant
* Ring-necked pheasant
* Rose-ringed parakeet
* Ruddy shelduck
* Salmon-crested cockatoo
* Sarus crane
* Satyr tragopan
* Silver pheasant
* Speckled pigeon
* Spoonbill
* Spotted munia
* Sulphur crested cockatoo
* White cockatoo
* White stork
* White-naped crane
* Wood duck
* Zebra finch

### Central Zoo animal overview

Animals in the Central Zoo of Nepal are in the following categories and numbers, as of April 2011:
| Categories | Species | Number |
| Mammals | 43 | 200 |
| Reptiles | 9 | 21 |
| Fishes | 14 | 232 |
| Birds | 80 | 500 |
| Total | 146 | 953 |

## Other facilities

The zoo includes a library, a children's small fun park, picnic areas and paddle boats on the lake. Fishing is allowed in the lake during some parts of the year.

## Gallery

* Himalayan Griffon
* Golden Pheasant male
* Male Ring-necked Pheasant
* Crimson-horned pheasant (Male)
* Chukar Partridge
* Great White Pelican
* Gharial
* Eurasian Eagle Owl
* Hippopotamus
* Indian Elephant
* Hornbill
* Albino Porcupine
* Asian Rock Python
* Bengal Tiger